The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (and the Pretty!)

The Good:
Jonathan Papelbon. I know I probably gush about this kid too much, but it's not without reason. His stat line on the season so far easily makes him the top closer in the game, after he's pitched 5 innings with zero runs scored, one hit and no walks, going 4 for 4 in save oppurtunities (t-1st). What makes this all even more impressive is that Papelbon never had a major league save coming into the season (just one career minor league save) and he spent most of spring training preparing as a starter. He's really something special, and his dominance hints at good things to come with the Red Sox pitching staff, and also continues with a wave of spectacular young pitchers in the major leagues. As the Steroid Era fades away, baseball will become more of a pitcher's sport, and names like Papelbon, Rich Harden, and Felix Hernandez will soon become as well known as Roger Clemons, Greg Maddux, and Randy Johnson.

The Bad:
Barry Bonds. Not only is he not hitting on the season (.167 average and the big number- zero home runs), but he's a cancer in the lung of Major League Baseball. Currently there's an investigation as to whether or not Bonds perjured himself in a federal grand jury hearing about steroid use. The MLB needs to put the lingering effects of the Steroid Era behind it, and the biggest symbol of that Era is bonds, who is threatening to tarnish 2 records that were posted by two of the greatest hitters of all time in Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. It doesn't help that Bonds has made himself a sideshow in the otherwise professional world of baseball. His new ESPN program "Bonds on Bonds" is just one more joke in the repertoire that is Bonds' major league career. I myself haven't watched the show, but just seeing the ad was enough for me: it has Barry saying something to the effect of "there's no better place to here it than from me." Right B, because everyone knows you're just a simmering cauldron of credibility. And those circus acts around spring camp - like when he dressed in drag to judge a rookie singing competition - had nothing to do with camp morale or camraderie, it was simply a means of getting something of interest to film for his show. Bonds has soiled the image of baseball long enough, it's time for him to let himself fade from the spotlight.

The Ugly:
David Wells. His tough outing last night isn't just a matter of one loss on the season; like it or not, his performance was symbolic of his attitude during the offseason and through spring training. After a spectacular week in Red Sox pitching, Wells - who asked to be traded over the offseason and then went through a minimal workout regimen in the spring - became the fumbler and paved the way for the Blue Jays to take a three game opening series at Fenway with wins over Wells and Matt Clement. Also, the fat biker guy look went the way of Dan Conner and 1994. Lose some weight, lose some ego, and add some heat to your fastball. You don't win 15 games by pitching a batting practice season.

The Pretty
Bronson Arroyo. Pretty face, pretty voice, pretty breaking ball, pretty...swing? Bronson is the first pitcher in the modern era to have two wins and two homeruns in his first two starts of the season. Of course, both dingers came from pitches by the same guy - the Cubs' Glendon Rusch, but there's no denying that Arroyo is the whole package. I miss him. :-(

Crisp junked, Pedro plunked?

-Red Sox centerfielder Coco Crisp, who is currently on the 15-Day DL with a broken knuckle, was signed to a three year contract extension yesterday with a club option for 2010. This continues a busy week for the Sox front office, after they signed slugger David Ortiz to a four-year extension. Likely on the horizon: an extension for Josh Beckett, who has dazzled in his two starts in a Boston uniform. Not as likely, but would be a good move: locking Jonathan Papelbon into a long-term deal before his value goes up much more, which it will.

-Outfielder Dustan Mohr, who had a pretty great spring for the Sox, was called up to replace Crisp on the roster, and he started yesterday's game in center field. All he did was hit a two-run home run in his first game for the Red Sox. Meanwhile, Wily Mo Pena started in right field in place of the hurting Trot Nixon (who is listed as day-to-day with a groin injury) and he, too, smashed a long ball. But these two smashs and another by Ortiz would not be enough to lift the Sox over the Blue Jays, who won 8-4.

-It was the rematch everybody was waiting for. After Pedro Martinez plunked three Nationals in their meeting last week, yesterday saw Petey on the mound against Washington again. Everybody and their dog expected old-school Nats manager Frank Robinson to respond by beaning Pedro, but it didn't happen. Nobody was hit in the game and the Mets rode a fine performance by Martinez to a 3-1 victory.

-Right handed Sox reliever Julian Tavarez will return today from his 10-day suspension, which came in response to his punching Tampa Bay center-fielder Joey Gathright in the face during a spring exhibition game. His presence will add to what projects to be a fantastic bullpen, especially with Papelbon pitching the way he is.

-Rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers - the replacement of super slugger Alfonso Soriano - was put on the DL today because of a dislocated left thumb. His spot on the roster was taken by outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., who was being activated from the DL after a rib-cage injury.

-With the activation yesterday of starter David Wells of the Red Sox, most expected lefty Lenny Dinardo to be sent back to Pawtucket. Not so, as reliever David Riske was put on the DL with a back strain, leaving room for Dinardo. It was a good thing, too, as Dinardo (who usually starts in the minor leagues and makes a good long-man out of a major-league bullpen) picked up for David Wells in the fifth inning and didn't let the Blue Jays get too far ahead in the game, although the Sox offense would never recover from the six-run performance by David Wells. Speaking of Wells, he better watch his performances closely. Yesterday's was most likely a result of his not getting enough work in during spring training, but he has to remember that the Sox have Papelbon just waiting to take his spot in the rotation if he falters.

Another fantastic game

Today was the Red Sox home opener, and the new-look '06 Sox didn't fail to put on a show. Prized off-season acquisition Josh Beckett pitched beautifully, young flamethrower Jonathan Papelbon dazzled in the ninth, and the Sox offense put together a nifty second inning, scoring the four runs that would have been enough to beat Toronto. The Sox moved to a 6-1 record (first time since 1999) on the season in their 5-3 victory over the Jays.

Beckett's first inning was a bit of an adventure, but after he walked in the Blue Jay's first run, a double play off the bat of first baseman Shea Hillenbrand saved him from any more damage. But, not unlike in Beckett's debut in Texas, the pitcher settled down and put the Blue Jay's offense away for the rest of the game. He pitched 7 innings in the game, allowing three hits, four walks and one run while striking out 2. After a 36 pitch first inning, Beckett left the game with just 105 in the game.

The Sox bats came alive in the second inning. After Josh Towers allowed a walk to Trot Nixon and a single by Jason Varitek, third baseman Mike Lowell (4-4) hit the first of his three doubles to score Nixon and tie the game. The next batter, center fielder Adam Stern (who started in place of Coco Crisp), also doubled and scored Varitek and Lowell, putting the Sox in the lead for good. Stern then stole third base and scored on a double by first baseman Kevin Youkilis, who was batting in Crisp's leadoff spot.

The only other Boston run of the game came on David Ortiz's second homerun of the season, his first of many at Fenway Park.

Keith Foulke came on in the eighth inning and allowed a base hit to Blue Jays shortstop Russ Adams. Then outfielder Frank Catalanotto hit a fly ball to right field that bounced out of right-fielder Wily Mo Pena's glove and into the bullpen for a two-run homerun, cutting the Sox lead to two runs. Two fly outs got Foulke out of any more trouble and paved the way for Papelbon to come on in the ninth.

Papelbon sparkled. He easily put down Jays sluggers Lyle Overbay, Hillenbrand and Bengie Molina on just ten pitches, eight of which went in for strikes. Papelbon's dazzling stat line on the season moved two 4 for 4 in save oppurtunities, five strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in his five innings of work.

Other notes:
Trot Nixon left the game in the fourth inning today with a groin injury and was replaced by Pena. More on his status to come.

The Sox did not call up Willie Harris to take Crisp's spot on the roster, but instead went for Dustin Mohr. Francona said it was so they could have another right-handed bat in the outfield, but after Trot went down today Francona might be kicking himself because Adam Stern may be the only lefty remaining in the outfield.

Meanwhile, across the majors:
Bronson Arroyo is doing some amazing things for the Cinncinatti Reds. Not only did he pitch seven scoreless innings to improve his record to 2-0, but he hit his second homerun in as many starts! Arroyo came into the season without ever having hit a homerun in his career, and without having a hit since 2001. Now he's got more homeruns than Barry Bonds! Good for you Bronson. It seems like you are going to thrive in the National League, so keep it up.

The Cubs and slugging first baseman Derrek Lee agreed to a five-year deal with a no-trade clause that's reportedly worth around $65 million. It's the biggest contract signed by the club since Sammy Sosa's four-year, $72 million deal in 2001.

Former Cy-Young winner Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays left his team on their road trip, returning to Toronto to nurse a sore forearm. He's expected to miss at least one start. With AJ Burnett spending time on the DL and Ted Lilly's persistent back problems, what has the potential to be a star rotation in the American League East is facing some adversity to begin the season.

Those of us Boston fans who were just waiting for Johnny Damon's shoulder to give out so we can laugh at the Yankee's stupid purchase may have to stick their feet in their mouths right about...now. Coco Crisp, Damon's replacement in Boston's center field and leadoff spot, is to be put on the 15-day DL tomorrow because of a non-displaced fracture at the base of his left index finger. He hurt the finger during a botched steal attempt in Baltimore, and he could miss up to a month because of the injury. The Sox, however, will move on. They're rather deep in the outfield, and this will be a chance for Wily Mo Pena to get some regular at-bats. Terry Francona also gets to call up another position player before tomorrow's game (my guess is it'll be Willie Harris). Then in just a few more days they can send Adam Stern back down to Pawtucket and replace him on the roster with more of an impact position player, or perhaps a pitcher (most likely Manny Delcarmen).

Yesterday Rockies outfielder Cory Sullivan made history when he became just the eleventh player in baseball history to hit two triples in one inning. The last player to accomplish this rare feat was Gil Coan of the Washington Senators in 1951.

After dragging their feet since spring training, the Red Sox front office finally inked a contract extension for designated hitter David Ortiz. The deal has the big lefty playing for Boston through 2010, with a club option for the 2011 season. The monetary value of the extension was not discussed, but expect Ortiz to make substantially more than the $6.5 million he's owed this year.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones was put on the disabled list today after he banged up his leg during Sunday's game against the Giants. He isn't expected to take long to heal, but with sprains in both his right knee and ankle, he'll have to let the leg heal before he can get back on the field.

Baseball's opening week is over, and every team finally has at least one win and one loss. Only two of the current six division leaders (Oakland As and New York Mets) are from my picks, but of course it's far too early to start looking at standings. It is important to note, however, that the Yankees are currently last in the American League-East with a record of 2-4, while the Red Sox are riding a 5-1 season start at the head of the division. However early in the season it is, starting the season 3 games back of your chief rival can't be good for morale.

Looks like my top-picked Dodgers are falling apart left and right. The Boston Globe reported today that Dodgers closer Eric Gagne will have surgery on his pitching elbow to remove a nerve. A huge part of the reason the Dodgers performed so poorly last year was that Gagne was hurt for most of the season, and if that's also the case for '06, then I'd say that along with the injury to Nomar Garciaparra's ribcage, which landed him on the fifteen day disabled list on tuesday, will severely hurt Los Angeles' chances this season. The Dodgers currently have five players on the DL, and Wednesday saw a game in which two players had to leave the game with minor injuries and three other players came dangerously close to having to leave the game. Clearly something is working against this team and their hopes at a division title.

Meanwhile, the hitting streak of Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins ended yesterday in Philliadelphia's third straight loss to the Cardinals. I'm a little upset about this because I was just working on a column about whether Rollins' historic streak was a more important story to baseball than the steroid scandal plaguing the big leagues.

People in San Fransisco are too nice. Despite Barry Bonds' tarnished image and the apparent hatred of road fans, the patrons at AT&T Park on Thursday gave him a standing ovation when he was introduced. Don't they realize that he's been duping them for like five years now? I certainly wouldn't be too quick to cheer for a man that has lied to us between his teeth and helped support an era that will forever leave a cloud over the game.

After getting beaned three times in three game series between the Mets and the Nationals, Washington outfielder Jose Guillen had enough, charging the mound and causing the dugouts to clear. Poor Guillen was so shaken by the number of times he's been hit by Pedro Martinez that he says the former friends' relationship is over. C'mon man! Grow some junk will you? If you're going to crowd the plate, then you have no place blaming a pitcher when you're beaned by an inside pitch. Pedro has always been known for commanding the interior of the plate, and considering the fact that he'd hit you three times before Thursdays game, one might think you'd make an adjustment at the plate so as not to get hit.

Young Guns Pumped Up

Last night was good for young Boston pitchers.







Josh Beckett (25) started and went seven strong, allowing one run, one walk, and seven hits while striking out five.











Jonathan Papelbon (25) came on in the ninth inning, despite the fact that with a 2-1 lead, closer Keith Foulke should have been called upon. No matter. All Papelbon did was go 1-2-3 with 2 strikeouts to convert his first major league save.











Meanwhile Mike Timlin (40) pitched the eigth and allowed two hits, a walk, and a passed ball. He managed to get out of the inning unscathed thanks to a putout at homeplate on a relay play by Manny Ramirez and Alex Gonzalez.

Now, I realize much of this was related already in my last post, but I really just wanted an excuse to get these cool pictures up.

What a Night

You know, I had a feeling when I woke up today that it was going to be a fantastic day for baseball. Maybe it was because it was snowy and I was looking forward to sitting down and watching the game, but I was really excited to see the Red Sox debut of pitcher Josh Beckett against the Texas Rangers. -->

Beckett scared me a little in the first inning, allowing one run. But that was it. Beckett's Boston debut couldn't have been better, scattering seven hits and getting a nice little ovation from Curt Schilling as a reward. Texas' Kameron Loe pitched a superb game, but allowed a two-run homer by Trot Nixon to put him behind in the game.

Beckett pitched a full seven innings and struck out five, but the momentum appeared to shift in the eighth inning when Mike Timlin came out and allowed two batters to get on base. Then when appeared to be a base hit that should have sent the runner from second all the way home became a put out on a relay from left fielder Manny Ramirez to shortstop Alex Gonzalez to Jason Varitek at home. Timlin got out of the inning miraculously unscathed.

Then Terry Francona made the bullpen call of the century when he asked for Jonathan Papelbon to prepare for the ninth inning instead of closer Keith Foulke. Papelbon didn't dissapoint, putting up a 1-2-3 ninth, earning his first major league save (and just his second save in professional baseball), and handing Beckett his first win of the season in what was a very tense game.

Other baseball notes:

<--Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins extended his two-season hitting streak to 38 games, putting him just one game behind Hall-of-Famer Paul Molitor and 18 behind record holder Joe DiMaggio.

Bronson Arroyo, in his debut with the Cinncinatti Reds, not only earned the win but hit the first homerun of his carreer to hand himself a lead in the third inning against the Cubs.

The new ad for MLB 2K6 featuring Derek Jeter and Josh Beckett is pretty good. It's intense. It's kinda hot. I like.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his career 537th homerun to pass Mickey Mantle and claim the #12 spot on the all-time home runs list.

You heard it here:

-The Sox will trade or release Josh Bard before the end of the season, not because he can't catch the knuckler, but because his offense is a liability when Tim Wakefield pitches.

-The 2007 Red Sox starting rotation: Schilling, Beckett, Papelbon, Wakefield, John Lester. Clement will be traded this offseason and David Wells will retire. If Clement manages to impress this year and, more importantly, to stay strong down the stretch, there's the possibility of keeping him in the rotation and sending Wakefield to the bullpen.

-Rollins will keep the streak going until April 13, when he'll face Tim Hudson and the Braves.

-Barry Bonds will hit at least twenty homeruns before the All-Star break, but scrutiny and fan dissaproval will leave him disenfranchised and he'll end up on the disabled list for exhaustion, if nothing else, finishing short of Hank Aaron's home run record.

-Nomar Garciaparra will make a decent recovery from his rib-cage injury and come back to hit .300 on the season. C'mon Nomah! I picked the Dodgers in the NL West, and you were a big reason. Don't let me down!-->